For our next two nights in Transylvania we checked into Vampire Camping- yes, we are that much of a cliché. But don’t panic, the van had plenty of garlic and wooden stakes in the glove compartment!

It was a short wander into the busy village of Bran to visit Dracula’s Castle. Well, to visit a castle, which certainly didn’t house the fictional character,  may or may not have been an inspiration for Bram Stoker and definitely didn’t have anything to do with Vlad the Impaler. But to give Bran Castle credit, it really looks the part and they have gone to town with any possible vampiric links. 

Bran Castle is a medieval building that has been developed and redeveloped over the centuries. There are winding stone stairs, towering turrets and spires and, with the dark thundery skies, it looked positively sinister. So, we were happy to visit, vampires or not. It was inhabited by Romanian royalty into the twentieth century, and we could see many of the original furnishings. Mr G even exclaimed that this was the sort of castle he could imagine living in- make of that what you will!

We ate in a boutique hotel in Bran, the Conacul Torzburg. There was a big billboard asserting that it was the best restaurant in Bran, which would normally put me right off ( methinks he doth protest too much and all that) but it was incredible. I had a Wagyu beef salad, Mr G had lamb shank followed by a chocolate fondant, all delicious and under £30 including wine. If we weren’t keeping it real in a campsite on the outskirts of town we would have stayed there, for sure. 

Vampire camping was also a short drive from the stunning rooftop fortress of Rasnov ( currently closed for, what looked to be, huge scale renovations but worth a visit for the views alone) and the charming town of Brasov, which is perfect for a leisurely lunch, a wander and some people watching. 

All in all Transylvania was a beautiful surprise, friendly, full of history and very reasonable priced. Next stop Bucharest.

Quick campsite comment: 

Vampire Camping was a leafy campsite a short walk from the village of Bran.

The good bits: It was spacious, rural and quiet with views of the Transylvanian mountains. The owner was incredibly friendly and helpful. There were good electrical hook ups and there’s a restaurant, bar and shop during high season. Its main advantage, however, is its excellent location. 

The bad bits: The showers and loos are rather tired. I had an ICE COLD shower, which I still shudder to think about, but Mr G’s was hot, so either there was a problem in the Ladies’ or I was being a prat with the shower controls.